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Thweatt JL, Harman CE, Araújo MN, Marlow JJ, Oliver GC, Sabuda MC, Sevgen S, Wilpiszeki RL. Chapter 6: The Breadth and Limits of Life on Earth. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:S124-S142. [PMID: 38498824 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Scientific ideas about the potential existence of life elsewhere in the universe are predominantly informed by knowledge about life on Earth. Over the past ∼4 billion years, life on Earth has evolved into millions of unique species. Life now inhabits nearly every environmental niche on Earth that has been explored. Despite the wide variety of species and diverse biochemistry of modern life, many features, such as energy production mechanisms and nutrient requirements, are conserved across the Tree of Life. Such conserved features help define the operational parameters required by life and therefore help direct the exploration and evaluation of habitability in extraterrestrial environments. As new diversity in the Tree of Life continues to expand, so do the known limits of life on Earth and the range of environments considered habitable elsewhere. The metabolic processes used by organisms living on the edge of habitability provide insights into the types of environments that would be most suitable to hosting extraterrestrial life, crucial for planning and developing future astrobiology missions. This chapter will introduce readers to the breadth and limits of life on Earth and show how the study of life at the extremes can inform the broader field of astrobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Thweatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. (Former)
| | - C E Harman
- Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - M N Araújo
- Biochemistry Department, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey J Marlow
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gina C Oliver
- Department of Geology, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Mary C Sabuda
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Serhat Sevgen
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Lopez-Ramirez MR, Sancho LG, de Vera JP, Baqué M, Böttger U, Rabbow E, Martínez-Frías J, de la Torre Noetzel R. Detection of new biohints on lichens with Raman spectroscopy after space- and Mars like conditions exposure: Mission Ground Reference (MGR) samples. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2021; 261:120046. [PMID: 34139661 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The extremophile lichen Circinaria gyrosa (C. gyrosa) is one of the selected species within the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment. Here we present the Raman study of a biohint found in this lichen, called whewellite (calcium oxalate monohydrate), and other organic compounds and mineral products of the biological activity of the astrobiologically relevant model system C. gyrosa. Samples were exposed to space- and simulated Mars-like conditions during the EXPOSE-R2 mission parallel ground reference experiment MGR performed at the space- and planetary chambers of DLR-Cologne to study Mars' habitability and resistance to real space conditions. In this work, we complete the information of natural C. gyrosa about the process of diagenesis by the identification of carbonate crystals in the inner medulla together with the biomineral whewellite. The analysis by Raman spectroscopy of simulated Space and Mars exposed samples confirm alterations and damages of the photobiont part of the lichen and changes related to the molecular structure of whewellite. The conclusions of this work will be important to understand what are the effects to consider when biological systems are exposed to space or Mars-like conditions and to expand our knowledge of how life survives in most extreme conditions that is a prerequisite in future planetary exploration projects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L G Sancho
- UCM, Univ. Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J P de Vera
- DLR, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department, Astrobiological Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Baqué
- DLR, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department, Astrobiological Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Böttger
- DLR, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Rabbow
- DLR, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
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de la Torre Noetzel R, Ortega García MV, Miller AZ, Bassy O, Granja C, Cubero B, Jordão L, Martínez Frías J, Rabbow E, Backhaus T, Ott S, García Sancho L, de Vera JPP. Lichen Vitality After a Space Flight on Board the EXPOSE-R2 Facility Outside the International Space Station: Results of the Biology and Mars Experiment. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:583-600. [PMID: 32364796 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As part of the Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX; ILSRA 2009-0834), samples of the lichen Circinaria gyrosa were placed on the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2, on the International Space Station (ISS) and exposed to space and to a Mars-simulated environment for 18 months (2014-2016) to study: (1) resistance to space and Mars-like conditions and (2) biomarkers for use in future space missions (Exo-Mars). When the experiment returned (June 2016), initial analysis showed rapid recovery of photosystem II activity in the samples exposed exclusively to space vacuum and a Mars-like atmosphere. Significantly reduced recovery levels were observed in Sun-exposed samples, and electron and fluorescence microscopy (transmission electron microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope) data indicated that this was attributable to the combined effects of space radiation and space vacuum, as unirradiated samples exhibited less marked morphological changes compared with Sun-exposed samples. Polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that there was DNA damage in lichen exposed to harsh space and Mars-like environmental conditions, with ultraviolet radiation combined with space vacuum causing the most damage. These findings contribute to the characterization of space- and Mars-resistant organisms that are relevant to Mars habitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa de la Torre Noetzel
- Departamentos de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Ortega García
- Departamentos de Sistemas de Defensa NBQ y Materiales Energéticos, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Zélia Miller
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Olga Bassy
- ISDEFE (ISDEFE as External Consultant for INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Granja
- Departamentos de Sistemas de Defensa NBQ y Materiales Energéticos, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Cubero
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luisa Jordão
- INSA-Instituto Nacional Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Elke Rabbow
- DLR-German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Theresa Backhaus
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf (HHU), Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sieglinde Ott
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf (HHU), Duesseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera
- DLR-German Aerospace Center, Management and Infrastructure, Astrobiology Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
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Miki K, Kawashima S, Takahashi Y, Yonemura S. Potential survival of the lichen Caloplaca flavovirescens under high helium-beam doses. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2019; 58:449-454. [PMID: 31222610 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-019-00803-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Testing the limits of survivability in space is the primary focus in astrobiological research. Although a number of previous studies have examined terrestrial life survival in an extraterrestrial environment, only a few have investigated how life systems respond to high doses of alpha cosmic ray, the main component of cosmic rays. We used respiration and photosynthetic rates as indicators of the vital signs of the lichen Caloplaca flavovirescens, which is a symbiotic life form including fungi and algae. Our experiment demonstrated that the photosynthetic rate decreased with increased helium-beam doses, whereas the respiration rate was relatively unaffected. Specifically, under a helium-beam dose greater than 10 Gy, the respiration rate remained nearly constant regardless of further increases in the radiation rate. Our results indicate that the different metabolic systems of terrestrial life forms might exhibit different survival characteristics when they are in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Miki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - S Kawashima
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Y Takahashi
- Department of Astrophysics, Interactive Symbiosphere Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yamagata, 990-8560, Japan
| | - S Yonemura
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, NARO, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604, Japan
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5
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Huwe B, Fiedler A, Moritz S, Rabbow E, de Vera JP, Joshi J. Mosses in Low Earth Orbit: Implications for the Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:221-232. [PMID: 30742499 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As a part of the European Space Agency mission "EXPOSE-R2" on the International Space Station (ISS), the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment investigates the habitability of Mars and the limits of life. In preparation for the mission, experimental verification tests and scientific verification tests simulating different combinations of abiotic space- and Mars-like conditions were performed to analyze the resistance of a range of model organisms. The simulated abiotic space- and Mars-stressors were extreme temperatures, vacuum, and Mars-like surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in different atmospheres. We present for the first time simulated space exposure data of mosses using plantlets of the bryophyte genus Grimmia, which is adapted to high altitudinal extreme abiotic conditions at the Swiss Alps. Our preflight tests showed that severe UVR200-400nm irradiation with the maximal dose of 5 and 6.8 × 105 kJ·m-2, respectively, was the only stressor with a negative impact on the vitality with a 37% (terrestrial atmosphere) or 36% reduction (space- and Mars-like atmospheres) in photosynthetic activity. With every exposure to UVR200-400nm 105 kJ·m-2, the vitality of the bryophytes dropped by 6%. No effect was found, however, by any other stressor. As the mosses were still vital after doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) expected during the EXPOSE-R2 mission on ISS, we show that this earliest extant lineage of land plants is highly resistant to extreme abiotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Huwe
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Annelie Fiedler
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sophie Moritz
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Elke Rabbow
- 2 Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jean Pierre de Vera
- 3 Astrobiological Laboratories, Management and Infrastructure, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasmin Joshi
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- 4 Institute for Landscape and Open Space, Hochschule für Technik HSR Rapperswil, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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6
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de la Torre Noetzel R, Miller AZ, de la Rosa JM, Pacelli C, Onofri S, García Sancho L, Cubero B, Lorek A, Wolter D, de Vera JP. Cellular Responses of the Lichen Circinaria gyrosa in Mars-Like Conditions. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:308. [PMID: 29556220 PMCID: PMC5845166 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichens are extremely resistant organisms that colonize harsh climatic areas, some of them defined as "Mars-analog sites." There still remain many unsolved questions as to how lichens survive under such extreme conditions. Several studies have been performed to test the resistance of various lichen species under space and in simulated Mars-like conditions. The results led to the proposal that Circinaria gyrosa (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota) is one of the most durable astrobiological model lichens. However, although C. gyrosa has been exposed to Mars-like environmental conditions while in a latent state, it has not been exposed in its physiologically active mode. We hypothesize that the astrobiological test system "Circinaria gyrosa," could be able to be physiologically active and to survive under Mars-like conditions in a simulation chamber, based on previous studies performed at dessicated-dormant stage under simulated Mars-like conditions, that showed a complete recover of the PSII activity (Sánchez et al., 2012). Epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that living algal cells were more abundant in samples exposed to niche conditions, which simulated the conditions in micro-fissures and micro-caves close to the surface that have limited scattered or time-dependent light exposure, than in samples exposed to full UV radiation. The medulla was not structurally affected, suggesting that the niche exposure conditions did not disturb the lichen thalli structure and morphology as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, changes in the lichen thalli chemical composition were determined by analytical pyrolysis. The chromatograms resulting from analytical pyrolysis at 500°C revealed that lichen samples exposed to niche conditions and full UV radiation consisted primarily of glycosidic compounds, lipids, and sterols, which are typical constituents of the cell walls. However, specific differences could be detected and used as markers of the UV-induced damage to the lichen membranes. Based on its viability responses after rehydration, our study shows that the test lichen survived the 30-day incubation in the Mars chamber particularly under niche conditions. However, the photobiont was not able to photosynthesize under the Mars-like conditions, which indicates that the surface of Mars is not a habitable place for C. gyrosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa de la Torre Noetzel
- Departamento de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Z Miller
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José M de la Rosa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Beatriz Cubero
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andreas Lorek
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) Berlin, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Wolter
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) Berlin, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean P de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) Berlin, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany
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Pacelli C, Selbmann L, Moeller R, Zucconi L, Fujimori A, Onofri S. Cryptoendolithic Antarctic Black Fungus Cryomyces antarcticus Irradiated with Accelerated Helium Ions: Survival and Metabolic Activity, DNA and Ultrastructural Damage. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2002. [PMID: 29089932 PMCID: PMC5650992 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Space represents an extremely harmful environment for life and survival of terrestrial organisms. In the last decades, a considerable deal of attention was paid to characterize the effects of spaceflight relevant radiation on various model organisms. The aim of this study was to test the survival capacity of the cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515 to space relevant radiation, to outline its endurance to space conditions. In the frame of an international radiation campaign, dried fungal colonies were irradiated with accelerated Helium ion (150 MeV/n, LET 2.2 keV/μm), up to a final dose of 1,000 Gy, as one of the space-relevant ionizing radiation. Results showed that the fungus maintained high survival and metabolic activity with no detectable DNA and ultrastructural damage, even after the highest dose irradiation. These data give clues on the resistance of life toward space ionizing radiation in general and on the resistance and responses of eukaryotic cells in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Space Microbiology Research Group, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Akira Fujimori
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, Chiba, Japan
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Brandt A, Meeßen J, Jänicke RU, Raguse M, Ott S. Simulated Space Radiation: Impact of Four Different Types of High-Dose Ionizing Radiation on the Lichen Xanthoria elegans. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:136-144. [PMID: 28206821 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study addresses the viability of the lichen Xanthoria elegans after high-dose ionizing irradiation in the frame of the STARLIFE campaign. The first set of experiments was intended to resemble several types of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) as present beyond the magnetic shield of Earth. In the second set of experiments, γ radiation up to 113 kGy was applied to test the limit of lichen resistance to ionizing radiation. Entire thalli of Xanthoria elegans were irradiated in the anhydrobiotic state. After STARLIFE 1, the metabolic activity of both symbionts was quantified by live/dead staining with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The photosynthetic activity was measured after the respective irradiation to assess the ability of the symbiotic green algae to restore photosynthesis after irradiation. The STARLIFE campaign complements the results of the LIFE experiments at the EXPOSE-E facility on the International Space Station by testing the model organism Xanthoria elegans on its resistance to hazardous radiation that might be accumulated during long-term space exposure. In addition, the photosynthetic activity of metabolically active lichen was investigated after X-ray irradiation up to 100 Gy (3.3 Gy/min). Since previous astrobiological experiments were mostly performed with anhydrobiotic lichen, these experiments will broaden our knowledge on the correlation of physiological state and astrobiological stressors. Key Words: Astrobiology-Extremotolerance-Gamma rays-Ionizing radiation-Lichens-Viability. Astrobiology 17, 136-144.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Brandt
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Meeßen
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Reiner U Jänicke
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Radiooncology, University of Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marina Raguse
- 3 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sieglinde Ott
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
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Pacelli C, Selbmann L, Zucconi L, Raguse M, Moeller R, Shuryak I, Onofri S. Survival, DNA Integrity, and Ultrastructural Damage in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Eukaryotic Microorganisms Exposed to Ionizing Radiation. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:126-135. [PMID: 28151696 PMCID: PMC5314979 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Life dispersal between planets, planetary protection, and the search for biosignatures are main topics in astrobiology. Under the umbrella of the STARLIFE project, three Antarctic endolithic microorganisms, the melanized fungus Cryomyces antarcticus CCFEE 515, a hyaline strain of Umbilicaria sp. (CCFEE 6113, lichenized fungus), and a Stichococcus sp. strain (C45A, green alga), were exposed to high doses of space-relevant gamma radiation (60Co), up to 117.07 kGy. After irradiation survival, DNA integrity and ultrastructural damage were tested. The first was assessed by clonogenic test; viability and dose responses were reasonably described by the linear-quadratic formalism. DNA integrity was evaluated by PCR, and ultrastructural damage was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The most resistant among the tested organisms was C. antarcticus both in terms of colony formation and DNA preservation. Besides, results clearly demonstrate that DNA was well detectable in all the tested organisms even when microorganisms were dead. This high resistance provides support for the use of DNA as a possible biosignature during the next exploration campaigns. Implication in planetary protection and contamination during long-term space travel are put forward. Key Words: Biosignatures-Ionizing radiation-DNA integrity-Eukaryotic microorganisms-Fingerprinting-Mars exploration. Astrobiology 17, 126-135.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marina Raguse
- Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Meeßen J, Backhaus T, Brandt A, Raguse M, Böttger U, de Vera JP, de la Torre R. The Effect of High-Dose Ionizing Radiation on the Isolated Photobiont of the Astrobiological Model Lichen Circinaria gyrosa. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:154-162. [PMID: 28206823 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lichen symbioses between fungi and algae represent successful life strategies to colonize the most extreme terrestrial habitats. Consequently, space exposure and simulation experiments have demonstrated lichens' high capacity for survival, and thus, they have become models in astrobiological research with which to discern the limits and limitations of terrestrial life. In a series of ground-based irradiation experiments, the STARLIFE campaign investigated the resistance of astrobiological model organisms to galactic cosmic radiation, which is one of the lethal stressors of extraterrestrial environments. Since previous studies have identified that the alga is the more sensitive lichen symbiont, we chose the isolated photobiont Trebouxia sp. of the astrobiological model Circinaria gyrosa as a subject in the campaign. Therein, γ radiation was used to exemplify the deleterious effects of low linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation at extremely high doses up to 113 kGy in the context of astrobiology. The effects were analyzed by chlorophyll a fluorescence of photosystem II (PSII), cultivation assays, live/dead staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and Raman laser spectroscopy (RLS). The results demonstrate dose-dependent impairment of photosynthesis, the cessation of cell proliferation, cellular damage, a decrease in metabolic activity, and degradation of photosynthetic pigments. While previous investigations on other extraterrestrial stressors have demonstrated a high potential of resistance, results of this study reveal the limits of photobiont resistance to ionizing radiation and characterize γ radiation-induced damages. This study also supports parallel STARLIFE studies on the lichens Circinaria gyrosa and Xanthoria elegans, both of which harbor a Trebouxia sp. photobiont. Key Words: Astrobiology-Gamma rays-Extremotolerance-Ionizing radiation-Lichens-Photobiont. Astrobiology 17, 154-162.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Meeßen
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Theresa Backhaus
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annette Brandt
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marina Raguse
- 2 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Ute Böttger
- 3 Institute of Optical Sensor Systems , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- 4 Institute of Planetary Research , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosa de la Torre
- 5 Departamento de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) , Madrid, Spain
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Moeller R, Raguse M, Leuko S, Berger T, Hellweg CE, Fujimori A, Okayasu R, Horneck G. STARLIFE-An International Campaign to Study the Role of Galactic Cosmic Radiation in Astrobiological Model Systems. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:101-109. [PMID: 28151691 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In-depth knowledge regarding the biological effects of the radiation field in space is required for assessing the radiation risks in space. To obtain this knowledge, a set of different astrobiological model systems has been studied within the STARLIFE radiation campaign during six irradiation campaigns (2013-2015). The STARLIFE group is an international consortium with the aim to investigate the responses of different astrobiological model systems to the different types of ionizing radiation (X-rays, γ rays, heavy ions) representing major parts of the galactic cosmic radiation spectrum. Low- and high-energy charged particle radiation experiments have been conducted at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) facility at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba, Japan. X-rays or γ rays were used as reference radiation at the German Aerospace Center (DLR, Cologne, Germany) or Beta-Gamma-Service GmbH (BGS, Wiehl, Germany) to derive the biological efficiency of different radiation qualities. All samples were exposed under identical conditions to the same dose and qualities of ionizing radiation (i) allowing a direct comparison between the tested specimens and (ii) providing information on the impact of the space radiation environment on currently used astrobiological model organisms. Key Words: Space radiation environment-Sparsely ionizing radiation-Densely ionizing radiation-Heavy ions-Gamma radiation-Astrobiological model systems. Astrobiology 17, 101-109.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Moeller
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Marina Raguse
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Leuko
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Berger
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Elisabeth Hellweg
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- 2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) , Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Okayasu
- 2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) , Chiba, Japan
| | - Gerda Horneck
- 1 Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
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